“Unveiled: The Surprising Origin of 50 Cent’s Legendary Stage Name That Fans Never Knew!”
Added on April 1, 2025 inMusic News Cards
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Have you ever looked at 50 Cent’s iconic stage name and thought, “What does that even mean?” I mean, I’m not alone in wondering if he stumbled upon a shiny quarter on the street or if he was actually paid that amount for his first performance—right? As Mercury plays tricks with our minds this week, it seems many fans are just now realizing there’s an intriguing backstory that ties Curtis Jackson III’s moniker to an old friend from his past. Spoiler alert: it involves a drug dealer and his not-so-legal escapades! So, if you’re ready to dive into the fascinating origin that sheds light on this cultural touchstone—please, take a seat. It’s bound to be a wild ride! Let’s unravel the enigma of how a name like ’50 Cent’ came to be and what it signifies beyond the dollar and change. Curious? You should be! LEARN MORE.
Curtis Jackson III’s stage name ’50 Cent’ is iconic, but do you know the inspiration behind it?
You may have already known why Eminem’s rap name isn’t completely random, but what about 50 Cent? While you wait for more news about whether or not the pair of legendary performers are going to release an album together, after the Real Slim Shady admitted it would be ‘great’ to work with the ‘Candy Shop’ rapper, let us inform you.
Did he find 50 cents left on the street one day? Did he make 50 cents for his first ever performance? The possibilities are endless.
However, it turns out Curtis Jackson picked the stage name as a result of someone from his childhood.
Jackson grew up in Queens, New York and just around the corner in Brooklyn lived a kid named Kelvin Martin.
Jackson was a drug dealer and was known as – you guessed it – 50 Cent. Why?
Well, Uproxx claims there’s various stories about the origin of the name, however, one includes Martin going into a dice game with 50 cent and leaving with $500.
Another tale alleges Martin used to rob anyone for any amount of money – even just 50 cents.
Now, these may not sound like terribly positive experiences to inspire a stage name, however, Jackson has eluded to his inspiration for the name in past interviews.
Do you know how 50 Cent got his stage name? (Prince Williams/WireImage)
Rather than it being simply based off Martin – who reportedly passed away after getting shot at the age of 23 – Jackson saw it as a metaphor for change.
Jackson himself was a drug dealer prior to becoming a rapper and was shot at in May 2000.
Jackson said: “I took the name 50 Cent because it says everything I want it to say. I’m the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means.”
And it’s not taken long for people to flock to social media to weigh in on the backstory.
One Reddit user said: “He said it’s metaphor for change. 50 CENT is the future.”
However, some OG fans are way ahead of the game, one resolving: “The people that didn’t know that are either casual 50 fans or are just too young. Probably were born after ‘05. Cuz they literally made a whole documentary about Kelvin Martin ‘The 1st 50 cent’ & even 50 himself (Curtis) was in that documentary… he was in it a lot actually.
“50 even said where he got the name from in ‘The New Breed’ documentary GRODT deluxe edition back in ‘03… but yea a lot of history there & behind the name.”
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Planet Hollywood
Topics: 50 Cent, Celebrity, Music, Rap, Social Media, US News, Eminem
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